On 11–12 September 2014, judge Thokozile Masipa delivered a verdict that Pistorius was not guilty of murder, but guilty of the culpable homicide of Steenkamp and reckless endangerment with a firearm at a restaurant. On 6 July 2016 Masipa sentenced Pistorius to six years in prison for murder.

What are female judges called?

It says that the judges of Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, High Court is supposed to be addressed as ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Lady’. Circuit judges are to be addressed as ‘Your Honour’ and District Judges and Magistrates and other judges as ‘Sir or Madam’.

How is a female magistrate called?

Call the Magistrate ‘Your Honour’, ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’. Call others in the courtroom (such as lawyers and witnesses) by their title and surname; for example, Mrs Citizen.

Why do judges wear a wig?

Until the seventeenth century, lawyers were expected to appear in court with clean, short hair and beards. Wigs made their first appearance in a courtroom purely and simply because that’s what was being worn outside it; the reign of Charles II (1660-1685) made wigs essential wear for polite society.

Can you address a judge as Sir?

In person: In an interview, social event, or in court, address a judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge [last name].” If you are more familiar with the judge, you may call her just “Judge.” In any context, avoid “Sir” or “Ma’am.” Magistrate Judges should have this title after their name (“The Honorable First M.

Can I call a judge Sir?

In person: In an interview, social event, or in court, address a judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge [last name].” If you are more familiar with the judge, you may call her just “Judge.” In any context, avoid “Sir” or “Ma’am.” It will still be “Dear Judge Last” after that.

What was the outcome of the Oscar Pistorius trial?

The trial of Oscar Pistorius for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp and several gun-related charges ( The State vs Oscar Pistorius) in the High Court of South Africa in Pretoria opened on 3 March 2014. On 11–12 September 2014, Judge Thokozile Masipa delivered a verdict that Pistorius was not guilty of murder,…

Who is Thomas Pistorius and what did he do?

Pistorius pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearms charges, telling the court he denies the allegations of murder “in the strongest terms” and believed an intruder had broken into his house and was in his bathroom when he fired.

Who is the judge in the Pistorius v South Africa case?

Pistorius was also facing a charge of illegal possession of ammunition and two charges of firing a gun in a public space. The trial was assigned to Judge Thokozile Masipa, who appointed two assessors, Janette Henzen du Toit and Themba Mazibuko, to help her evaluate the case and reach a verdict.

How was the Pistorius case based on circumstantial evidence?

The opening statement of prosecutor Gerrie Nel noted that the murder case against Pistorius was based largely on circumstantial evidence, as there were no eyewitnesses to the incident. Pistorius provided an affidavit to the court in which he stated the following: